Superwoman

I was driving along the highway along with a friend when this song by US pop/R&B singer Karyn White played out in my car stereo. We ended up spending some time talking and pondering over the lyrics and meaning behind this ballad, released in 1988 which goes on to be become a hit song and touching the hearts of many who have heard it since. I was only 11 years old when i heard this song but it does helps listening to such songs to have a glimpse into the adult world back then and i knew exactly what the song was trying to convey.

This song is sung from the pespective of a girl who laments over her relationship which had somewhat gone sour, pleading to her partner that she is no 'superwoman' who can go on loving and care for him without at least a token of his love back. The imagery formed by the lyrics are vivid and strong and one which every adult could relate to.

Superwoman

Early in the morning
I put breakfast at your table
And make sure that your coffee
Has its sugar and cream

Your eggs are over easy
Your toast done lightly
All that's missing is your morning kiss
That used to greet me

Now you say the juice is sour
It used to be so sweet
And I can't help but to wonder
If you're talking 'bout me

We don't talk the way we used to talk
It's hurtin' so deep
I've got my pride, I will not cry
But it's makin' me weep

I'm not your superwoman
I'm not the kind of girl that you can let down
And think that everything's okay
Boy, I am only human
This girl needs more than occasional
Hugs as a token of love from you to me, ooh, baby

I fought my way through the rush hour
Trying to make it home just for you
I want to make sure that your dinner
Will be waiting for you

But when you get there you just tell me
You're not hungry at all
You said you'd rather read the paper
And you don't want to talk

You like to think that I'm just crazy
When I say that you changed
I'm convinced I know the problem
You don't love me the same

You're just going through the motions
And you're not being fair
I've got my pride, I will not cry
Still I can't help but care

I'm not your superwoman (Oh, no, no)
I'm not the kind of girl that you can let down
And think that everything's okay
Boy, I am only human (I'm only human)
This girl needs more than occasional
Hugs as a token of love from you to me

Oh, baby, look into the corners of your mind
I'll always be there for you through good and bad times
But I can't be that superwoman that you want me to be
I'll give my everlasting love if you'll return love to me

If you feel it in your heart
And you understand me
Stop right where you are
Everybody sing along with me

I'm the kind of girl that can treat you so sweet
But you got to realize that you got to be sweeter to me, oh, ho, ho

I need love
I need just your love

I wish with all my heart that what happens to the girl in the song will someday not happen to me, and certainly will never happen to the person i love. I hope.

'I'm not your Superwoman
I'm not the kind of girl that you can let down
and think that everything's ok
Boy i 'm only human'

- Superwoman